Hydrangea plant named ‘BCHY-11.026’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BCHY-11.026’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The variety ‘BCHY-11.026’ has attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets, attractive, nonuniform sepal pigmentation and good commercial characteristics. Sepalous florets surround the non-sepalous florets in the center of the inforescence.

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-11.026’.

Variety denomination: ‘BCHY-11.026’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Hydrangeaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BCHY-11.026’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled cross between the unpatented variety known as ‘8.1’ which was the seed parent and the variety ‘BC8.3’ which was the pollen parent. The pollen parent, ‘BC8.3’, is the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,507, filed Apr. 8, 2013, and issued May 5, 2015. The parent ‘8.1’ has attractive inflorescences but a growth habit that is not suitable for commercial production of ornamental potted plants. The plant ‘BC8.3’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets that surround and almost hide all of the non-sepalous florets in the center of the panicle, attractive sepal pigmentation, and stems that branch easily and are relatively strong.

The new variety ‘BCHY-11.026’ has relatively large sepalous florets, non-uniform sepal pigmentation at maturity and good commercial characteristics. ‘BCHY-11.026’ has compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively large sepalous florets that surround the non-sepalous florets in the center of the panicle. The color of the sepals changes as the plant ages. Below is a table comparing the new variety to similar varieties, including the variety ‘BCHY-11.033’ which is the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,407 and resulted from the same cross. The present variety ‘BCHY-11.026’ differs from patented variety ‘BCHY-11.033’ in that non-sepalous florets of the inflorescence of ‘BCHY-11.033’ are almost hidden by the sepalous florets, while the non-sepalous florets of the present variety ‘BCHY-11.026’ are not hidden by the surrounding sepalous florets. Also the inflorescence of the present variety ‘BCHY-11.026’ is smaller than the inflorescence of ‘BCHY-11.033’. The inflorescence of ‘BCHY-11.026’ is 7″ in diameter and 3″ high, while the inflorescence of ‘BCHY-11.033’ is 9″ in diameter and 4″ high.

TABLE 1 Commercial variety ‘Venedig’ U.S. U.S. U.S. which may Plant New Plant Plant be U.S. Pat. No. Variety Pat. No. Pat. No. Plant Pat. No. 26,407 ‘BCHY- 23,757 25,507 10,928 ‘BCHY- 11.026’ ‘BC6.1’ ‘BC8.3’ ‘Venice Raven’ 11.033’ Leaf 8 cm 12 cm 10 cm × 16 11 cm wide × 9.5 cm size wide × wide × cm 15.5 cm long - wide × 10 cm 15 cm source U.S. 12.5 cm long long Plant Pat. long No. 10,928 Plant 13″ in 15″ in 15″ in 6″ pot 12″ in 6″ pot - 13″ in height 4.5″ pot. 6″ pot. observed 6″ pot controls grown alongside ‘BC6.1’. Stem Strong Stems are Stems are Strong - Strong strength strong but relatively observed benefit strong. controls grown from being alongside staked ‘BC6.1’. Sepal Both Upper side Upper side Upper side of Both Pigmen- sides of of sepals of sepals is sepals is R.H.S. sides tation sepals is R.H.S. R.H.S. 73A 84 A (violet of are 86 A (red - purple group). Under sepals R.H.S. (violet group) in side of sepals are 68 C. group); center, and is R.H.S. 85 A R.H.S. (red - Under side margins of (violet group) 68 C. purple of sepals sepals are observed (red - group). is R.H.S. R.H.S. 56 A controls grown purple 88 D (red group). alongside group) (violet ‘BC6.1’. group) Sepalous 70 mm 70 mm 50 mm to 70 mm - 70 mm Floret 60 mm observed Size - controls grown Diameter alongside ‘BC6.1’.

The new cultivar ‘BCHY-11.026’ has been successfully asexually reproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexually reproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BCHY-11.026’ remains firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an inflorescence.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plant shown is approximately a year old. The plant started out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant. The plant was pinched early to promote lateral branches.

‘BCHY-11.026’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, treatment with aluminum and day length. Color determinations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, developed in association with the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

-   The plant:     -   -   Origin.—Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a             seedling from a controlled cross between the unpatented             variety known as ‘8.1’ which was the seed parent and the             commercial variety ‘BC8.3’ which was the pollen parent.             ‘BC8.3’ is the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,507.         -   Form.—Upright, non-climbing, compact shrub. A typical plant             that is approximately a year old with a mature inflorescence             that is ready for sale is approximately 13″ high and has a             diameter of 16″ when grown in a 4.5″ pot with appropriate             soil amendments.         -   Growth.—Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is             medium. The plant branches easily with shoots forming at the             base of the plant. Lateral branches are similar in             appearance and form to the main stems.         -   Stems.—Stems are 10″ long. Fasciation is absent. Lenticels             are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A (violet group) and             are 1 to 3 mm long. The surface of young stems is glabrous.             Stems become woody as they age. The color of typical young             stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S. 145 A             (yellow-green group). The older portions of the stems are             R.H.S. 199 A (grey-brown group). Younger portions of the             stems are 5 mm in diameter. Older portions of the stems are             5-7 mm in diameter.         -   Foliage.—Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral             branches. Shape of leaf. — Ovate with rounded base and acute             apex. Leaf blade margins are serrate and not lobed. Texture.             — Glabrous; veins dominate on the underside of the leaf and             are sunken on the upper leaf surface. Color. — Mature leaves             have an upper side that is R.H.S. 137 A (green group), and             an under side that is R.H.S. 138 A (green group). Leaves are             moderately glossy. Variegation is absent. Leaves are             pinnately veined. The midvein and veins branching off the             midvein are large and prominent on the underside of the             leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 145 A (yellow-green group). Leaves             are as wide as 8 cm and 10 cm long. Petioles are smooth and             approximately 3 cm long and 4 mm wide. Petioles are R.H.S.             145 A (yellow-green group). -   Buds:     -   -   Form.—Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals.             Most buds, whether they will mature into sepalous or             non-sepalous florets, have 5 petals. Buds in the center of             the inflorescence are non-sepalous. The minority of buds             will develop into sepalous florets. The buds are             approximately 2 mm by 2 mm when very young. Buds can be 5 mm             in diameter and still unopened. Color of mature buds is             R.H.S. 73 C (red-purple group).         -   Aspect.—Smooth.         -   Arrangement.—Borne on branched panicles. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Form.—Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 150 individual             florets (both sepalous and non-sepalous) per inflorescence.             Both sepalous florets and non-sepalous florets borne on the             same panicle. Flowers do not produce a fragrance. The             peduncle for the inflorescence is strong and upright. Many             non-sepalous florets developing early on cymes that are             later surrounded by the sepalous florets that form at the             outside of the panicle. Non-sepalous florets are             conspicuous. Florets, both sepalous and non-sepalous, have             anthers and style. Inflorescences are long-lasting, up to             six weeks.         -   Size of inflorescence.—Compact and flat. Individual             inflorescence size is dependent on the number of florets. A             typical inflorescence can grow as large as 7″ in diameter,             and 3″ high.         -   Shape.—Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets             overlap one another. Sepals are persistent.         -   Appearance.—Not showy. -   Florets:     -   -   General.—The non-sepalous florets at the center of the             inflorescence open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets             are perfect and complete. Corolla: Generally, for both             sepalous and non-sepalous florets there are 5 petals. Petals             fall off easily of the non-sepalous florets. Petals are             typically 4 mm long and 3 mm wide. Petals are R.H.S. 155 D             (white group). Few lenticels are present on pedicels of both             sepalous and non-sepalous florets, lenticels are no more             than 1 mm long and very narrow. Lenticels are R.H.S. 59 B             (red-purple group). Pedicel length for non-sepalous florets             averages 4 mm. Pedicel length of sepalous florets is             approximately 20 to 25 mm in length for plants of this age.             Pedicels of both sepalous and non-sepalous florets continue             to elongate as the inflorescence ages. Pedicels can be 73 D             (red-purple group) to R.H.S. 145 C (yellow-green group) near             floret when mature.         -   Stamens.—8 to 10 stamens. Filament is approximately 2 to 4             mm long. Filament is R.H.S. 73 D (purple group). Anther is 1             mm long, regular and basally attached. Pollen is scarce.         -   Stigma.—Two to three style each, although most florets have             two style. Each style has one stigma. Style is typically 1             mm long. Style is R.H.S. 73 D (red-purple group). Stigma is             R.H.S. 73 D (purple group).         -   Ovary.—Ovary is partially inferior.         -   Sepalous florets.—General. — Veins dominate on the underside             of the sepals. Number of sepals. — 4 to 5 sepals per floret,             usually 4. Aspect of sepals. — Smooth and glaucescent. Shape             of sepals. — Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are entire,             but with much crenation. Size of sepals. — Sepals at             maturity are typically 40 mm long and 40 mm wide. Sepalous             florets are typically 70 mm in diameter. The upper sides of             the sepals are R.H.S. 68 C (red-purple group) and the             undersides are the same. Pigmentation develops at the tips             of the sepals and travels inward towards base of the sepals.             Pigmentation lightens as the sepals reach maturity.             Pigmentation of mature florets is 73 D (red-purple group).         -   Fruit.—None.         -   Disease and pest resistance.—Unknown.

Plants prefer milder temperatures.

Plants bloom in the spring but can be forced to bloom by placing in a cold environment. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘BCHY-11.026’ substantially as herein illustrated and described. 